Part 36: Good news!
Arnav walked into Shantivan and his eyes opened wide. The living room was decorated with rows of lamps, flowers and fairy lights. He saw women dressed in gaudy sarees all around the room. But he didn't find the one person he wanted to see. He had been in meetings all day and couldn't even talk to Khushi even for a minute. He couldn't wait to see her, and to take her in his arms. I hope she took rest all day, else she is going to.. His thoughts were interrupted, as he saw Payal run into the room, screaming for Hari Prakash. She stopped as she saw Arnav.
"Payal, where is.." He started.
Payal smiled and said, "She is upstairs, waiting for you." She giggled and walked away.
Arnav raised his eyebrows, wondering why Payal giggled. I wonder what Khushi has planned for me. He had a naughty smile as he ran up the stairs. As she watched Arnav run to the stairs, Payal picked up her phone and dialed a number. "He is coming upstairs". She giggled and cut the call.
"Payal bitiya". Payal turned to see Nani, a worried look on her face. "Is Khushi bitiya fine? It is not like her to not come down at all to help with the function. I mean I haven't seen her since you and she got back home. Is she.." Nani stopped as she saw a smile on Payal's face.
"Payal bitiya?" Nani looked at Payal confused. Payal's smile broadened. Nani raised her eyebrows. Payal giggled and hugged her. "Payal bitiya, is Khushi..?"
Payal pulled away, giggled and nodded.
That morning, after Arnav left, Khushi had been cleaning the mandir and Payal had been making garlands. Khushi had gotten up from the floor with the trash basket in her hand, when she lost her balance and started to fall. Payal had quickly grabbed her.
"Khushi, are you alright? Maybe you should go get rest and not do any work. You seem to be really weak."
"I am fine, Jiji", Khushi said, smiling. She stood up and started walking towards the kitchen.
"Khushi.." Payal screamed as she saw Khushi faint.
"Mohanji, please hurry up!" Payal screamed at the driver, as the car got stuck in traffic.
"Jiji, I am fine." Khushi's voice was almost a whisper. She was leaning against Payal, her head on her shoulder, her eyes partially closed.
"Of course you are", Payal said, angrily. "I wonder what Arnavji will say when he will hear that you didn't listen to me and you still insisted on doing work!" She took out her phone and started dialing a number. Khushi opened her eyes wide and sat up straight. She grabbed the phone from Payal and shook her head.
"No, Di. Don't call Arnavji. He will worry without any reason."
Payal let out a deep sigh and nodded.
"I am sure there is nothing to worry about." Payal said, putting an arm around Khushi, as she looked eagerly towards the doctor's office.
"Mrs Raizada?" A nurse walked towards them. Khushi stood up quickly and followed the nurse into the doctor's office. As they walked in, the doctor looked up smiling.
"Yes, please sit." Khushi sat down with Payal and grabbed her hand, scared.
"There is nothing to be scared, Khushi." The doctor said smiling. She looked at Khushi and then at Payal and then at Khushi again and said, "Congratulations. You are pregnant!"
Khushi opened her eyes in shock. Payal burst into tears and hugged Khushi. Khushi continued to be in a state of shock, as the doctor smiled watching her reaction.
"She didn't want me to tell anyone, since it was Di's godh bharai. She was planning to tell you all later." Payal told Nani, who had a wide grin on her face.
Nani was about to say something, when Manorama came running. "You both are standing here. The function is starting. I just made Anjali bitiya sit over there." Nani followed Mami's gaze and saw Anjali, dressed up in a beautiful red saree with lots of jewelry, sitting on a chair on the other side of the room. Nani smiled and she and Payal followed Manorama, as she walked towards Anjali.
Arnav threw open the door to his bedroom. It was dark. A naughty smirk appeared on his face. What was Khushi upto? He remembered how she had seduced him, dressed in a black saree, few nights ago. He took a few steps towards the bed. He said softly, "Khushi?"
The lights came on and Arnav's eyes opened wide. On the bed were toys, stuffed animals and dolls. His thoughts were interrupted as he heard Khushi's voice behind him. "We will be celebrating my godh bharai soon." Arnav turned around quickly and saw Khushi, smiling, dressed in a dark green saree, her hair flying in the breeze. He looked at her confused, as she took a few steps towards him. She stopped next to him, took his hand in hers and placed it on her belly. Arnav raised his eyebrows. He stared at her belly and then at her face. His face lit up suddenly, as he saw the tears in her eyes. His face broke into a wide smile, emotions of disbelief, excitement and love running across his face simultaneously. He threw his arms around her, one hand around her waist, one across her upper back and pulled her close. She burst into tears as she embraced him. They stood hugging each other, as stars twinkled in the night sky outside.
"Arnavji". Khushi pulled away from the hug when she heard voices coming from outside. "Di's godh bharai must have started. Let me go!" She tried to move away, but Arnav pulled her gently back into the embrace.
"No!" He said, with a naughty smile on his face.
"What?" Khushi looked at him, confused.
"No, Khushi. I wont let you go."
"But Di.." Arnav pressed his lips gently against hers.
He pulled away and said softly, his face close to hers. "No Di", he kissed her cheek. "No Nani", he kissed her other cheek, "No Payal", he kissed her forehead. "No one". He brushed his lips against hers. "Tonight, it's just you and me."
Khushi looked into his eyes and blushed.
"Khushi bitiya", Nani screamed and stood up from the couch as she saw Khushi and Arnav walk down the stairs, hand-in-hand. The godh bharai function was over and the guests had left. "Are you feeling better now?" Payal, Anjali, Mami and Akash looked up. Khushi and Arnav walked to them. When they stopped, Khushi looked at Arnav. He looked at her, squeezed her hand and smiled.
"Di, Nani, we have something to tell you." Arnav said, looking at his family. Nani smiled, stood up and ran to Khushi. She embraced Khushi and said, "Congrats bitiya!" Khushi smiled, her eyes filled with tears. Payal ran to Khushi and hugged her. Nani took Arnav's hand in hers, and said, "Chotte, I am so happy today. I am going to be a parnani again!" Anjali smiled, her eyes filled with tears. Suddenly, her smile disappeared.
Anjali looked at Khushi and then at Arnav. Khushiji pregnant? "Well, I am glad I could give you a few hours of wild passionate love, but I guess then you got bored of me and went back to Arnav, huh? Saale saab, your wife begged me to make love to her and how can I refuse my Khushiji!" Anjali closed her eyes, frustrated, as Shyam's voice echoed in her head.
I was planning to write a song sequence for godh bharai then decided the less we have of Anjali.. the better!
I am sorry.. I was just not in a mood to write today.. but I wanted to write few updates quickly so that I can show you how Arnav punishes Anjali! Forgive me, but I am upset with the track.. and I cannot write sarcastic or funny OS's.. nor can I write romance! Hopefully tomorrow I will be in a good mood and maybe you will get a romantic update! Sorry.. 😭 But for sure, I promise you I will give you Anjali getting punished by the end of this weekend. I'm done with letting her go easily! 😡
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